Step into our dynamic Entrepreneurial Summer Internship (ESI) Program, where ten remarkable student teams are granted a transformative summer job opportunity. During the season, they will have the opportunity to unleash their entrepreneurial spirit, crafting businesses from scratch, and accessing top-tier mentors, educational workshops, and a generous stipend. Meet our entrepreneurs and discover what inspires them and fuels their journey.
Meet Maura Selvakumar, Founder of Masca Vintage
What does your company do? Please write a short elevator pitch:
Masca Vintage is a sustainable fashion brand specializing in women’s vintage clothing and accessories. Many have embraced secondhand fashion as a step towards more sustainable fashion practices. However, many don't have the time or patience to spend hours searching for the perfect pieces in thrift stores. That’s where Masca Vintage comes in. We take the hassle out of the process by curating a selection of high-quality vintage clothes that align with our customers' styles and making them available online from the comfort of their homes.
What drew you to entrepreneurship?
Growing up, I always loved learning new skills and taking on new hobbies. Because of this, I envisioned a life for myself that was full of creativity and a schedule that changed from day to day. I also loved the idea of creating something that others would also genuinely enjoy. As a kid, I always imagined myself as an entrepreneur. This was partly because I watched my dad throughout his various entrepreneurial ventures and took great inspiration. Although I was too young to understand what it meant to start a business, seeing him in his element and tagging along for various business errands will always be a fond memory. As I got older, I had a few entrepreneurial bouts, whether it was selling baked goods to friends and classmates in school or later starting a clothing brand. They furthered my passion for working on things I loved through entrepreneurship.
Elaborate on your business venture. What problem are you solving, and what is your unique approach?
Did you know that more than half of the Fast fashion produced is being disposed of in under a year, with the average item worn only 7 times before getting thrown out? With most clothing and textiles ending up in landfills, clothing waste and underutilization are significant problems that contribute to environmental issues. Like others, I turned to traditional in-store thrifting to shop more sustainably, but I would often resort to online second-hand clothing sellers to quickly find and purchase exactly what I was looking for. Through doing this, I realized there were many ways I could improve the buying experience and create a community that promotes unique fashion and sustainability. That’s what motivated me to start Masca Vintage. We take the hassle out of the process by curating a selection of high-quality vintage clothes that align with our customers' styles and making them available online from the comfort of their homes. We also create resources to promote proper clothing care for maximum clothing utilization. At Masca Vintage, we provide a quality buying experience and ensure that every purchase is a transaction and a step towards a more sustainable wardrobe and future.
What are you hoping to accomplish over the summer at ESI?
Over the summer, through the ESI program, I plan to work on various aspects of building my brand and strengthening my skills as a business owner. This includes a better understanding business operations and strategies and building practical skills like decision-making and problem-solving. I am excited to meet and engage with successful entrepreneurs to learn from their stories, approaches and ideas. I also hope to learn from my fellow entrepreneurs in the program to understand other industries better and explore new interests for future entrepreneurial endeavours. Overall, I’m most excited to be able to work and learn in an environment that fosters entrepreneurship, creativity, and collaboration.
If your business had a theme song, what would it be?
A song that reflects my business is ‘Girls just want to have fun’ by Cyndi Lauper.
Who is your biggest entrepreneurial inspiration?
I find Sophia Amoruso’s entrepreneurial story very interesting. This is primarily because she started her entrepreneurial journey selling vintage clothes on Ebay, similar to what I’m doing with my business. Over the years, she scaled the company, creating a successful brand. As someone also interested in the fashion space and in the process of starting small, I think Sophia’s story brings me comfort and motivates me.